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Our Story

Find Love Safely was created from a deeply personal place and built with one clear purpose: to help adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities experience safe, meaningful connection — with dignity, support, and choice.
Nicolas, Stella and Kath

How It Began

One family's question that didn't have an answer.

Find Love Safely began when our founder was faced with a moment many families know well.

One evening, her adult son, who has Down syndrome, asked if he could download a mainstream dating app. The question was simple — but the answer wasn’t.

As a parent of a large blended family, including multiple children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, she understood the desire for independence, connection, and love. She also understood the risks. Both her son and his older brother had previously been victims of online romance scams, making it clear that traditional dating apps were not a safe option.

When she went searching for an alternative, she found something heartbreaking:
nothing existed.

There was no thoughtful, structured, safety-first way for adults with IDD to explore relationships — and no guidance for families trying to support them.

So she decided to build it.

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Nicolas and Kath

From Idea to Organization

What started as one family’s concern quickly became a shared reality. Conversations with other parents, caregivers, and adults with IDD revealed the same fears, questions, and hopes:

  • “How can my loved one date safely?”
  • “How do we support independence without putting them at risk?”
  • “Why isn’t there something better than this?”

Find Love Safely was built by listening — and by refusing to accept that loneliness, isolation, or unsafe experiences were inevitable.

Who We Are

Family

What We Believe

Our values guide everything we do.

At Find Love Safely, we believe:

  • Adults with IDD deserve opportunities for friendship, love, and connection
  • Safety works best when it is proactive, relational, and educational
  • Independence and support can — and should — coexist
  • Relationships should grow at a thoughtful, respectful pace
  • Caregivers are partners, not gatekeepers
  • Members are adults first, with agency and voice

These beliefs shape our matchmaking, coaching, events, and communication.

Man on computer

Our Approach Today

More than matchmaking

Find Love Safely is a relationship-focused service — not a dating app.

We combine:

  • Personalized, human matchmaking
  • Live virtual coaching and skill-building
  • Optional one-on-one support
  • Inclusive social events
  • Clear expectations and safety-first practices

Our work is grounded in patience, preparation, and respect for the whole person.

Katherine solo

Leadership & Oversight

Built with intention. Led with care.

Find Love Safely is led by its founder, who brings lived experience, advocacy, and deep commitment to safety and dignity. She designs and oversees all programs to ensure consistency, quality, and alignment with our values.

Our day-to-day services are carried out by trained team members who share this commitment and approach.

Native American woman solo

Looking Ahead

Growing thoughtfully — one community at a time.

Find Love Safely continues to grow city by city, always prioritizing community, trust, and sustainability over speed.

Each new location is built carefully, with early members helping shape a strong foundation for connection and support.

A Final Word

This work matters.

Everyone deserves the opportunity to feel seen, valued, and connected.

Find Love Safely exists because relationships matter — and because adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities deserve support that honors who they are and who they’re becoming.

We’re honored to walk alongside members and families on this journey.

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